Method of manufacturing bias fabric and apparatus therefor



Aug. 12 1924.

F. J. MCDONALD METHOD oF MANUFACTURING BIAS FABRIC AND APPARATUSTHEHBFOR Filed Dec. 24 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 12. 1924. Y 1,504,255

F. J. MaSDONALD METHOD 0F MANUFACTURING BIAS FABRC AND APPARATUSTHEREFOR Filed DeC. 24 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 12. 1924.

F. .1. MACDONALD METHOD oF MANUFAQTUMNG BIAS FABRIC AND APPARATUSTHEREFOR Filed Dec. 24 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 12, 1924. 1,504,255

F. J. MHCDONALD METHOD OF MANUFACTURING. BIAS FABRICA AND APPARATUSTHEREFOR Filed Dec. 24 191e sheets-sheet 4 mwa Aug. 12 1924,

F. J. MBCDONALD METHOD OF MANUFACTURNG BIAS FABRIC ANP APPARATUSTHEREFOR Filed Dec. 24 i918 5 Sheets-5heet b A r j @/mf,

Q (2. kf?

ma Nm Patented Aug. l2, 1924.

UNITED STAT-ES l,5^4,255 PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. 'MACDONALD, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRESTONE TIRE IANDRUBBER COMPANY, 0F AKRON,

OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING BIAS FABRIC .AND APPARATUS THEREFOR.

Application led December 24, 1918. Seria] No. 268,123.

T o all `whom it may comer/n Be it known that I, FRANK J. MM DONALD, acitizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county ofSummit, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Methods of Manufacturing Bias Fabric and Apparatus Therefor, of whichthe following a speciication.

In the manufacture of pneumatic tires or other articles of rubber andfabric, large quantities of bias fabric are used, by which term is meantlengthsof fabric made from rubberized canvas or other suitable fabric,

' which is cut in strips at an angle of 45o and then joined together endto end. To perform the cutting operation bias cutters are used which aremachinesembodying a reci )rocating knife set at an angle L to the faric, with means for advancing the fabric under the knife. The biasstrips are joined or spliced end to end by hand and wound With liningstrips into rolls which are transferred to the tire machines, orWherever they are to be` used.

By the method embodying'the invention described herein, and by use ofthe apparatus shown it is possible to dispense entirely with the biascutter and with the splicing as by my peculiar method of Winding andslitting, the fabric is led directly from the roll as rubberized in thecalender and in :1 single operation is formed into bias strips splicedtogether end to end.

. ln some instances, .particularl inthe manufacture of cord tires fromcorr fabric, it is advisable to build the tire from two layers of fabriccemented together with their ma4 jor threadscrossing at right angles. Byone form of my invention it is possible to form the bias fabric in thecondition required for use directly from the calendercd rolls.

Fig. 1 is a side elevat'on of an apparatus for carrying out my im cntionshowing that form in which theY two ply fabric is' ob tained.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is n rear elevation.

Fig. 4 is a longitiulinnl section through the portion of the helix as itis collapsed or flattened out. showing the slitting rolls.

Fig. 5 is a cross section on the lines 5-5 of Figs. `2 'and 4,

F ig. 6 is an end view of the cylinder show 4jug the means for drivingthe traveling Fig. 10 is a section along the delivery end of thecylinder Where. one ply fabric 1s being delivered in a plurality ofstrips.

Fig. 1l is an end elevation of Fi 10.

As has been stated, either single or ouble ply fabric with the threadsatan angle of 4:30 to the length of the ply may be manufactured directlyfrom the roll of fabric, as it is received from the calender Where it isrubberized. In certain instances it is preferable to make a double plyfabric with their bias threads crossing at right angles, and in otherinstances it is preferable to as semble the fabric in a single ply form.I will rst describe the two ply form of my invention.

The method which is the subject of this invention crnnprises the step ofrotating the roll of fabric as it comes from therubberizing caleuders bymounting it on a rotating ring, from which it is led by rollers suitablyarranged and Wound on cylinders at an angle of 450 with -a slightoverlap, the degrce of overlap being determined by the amount desired atthe splices in the finished product.. The ring carrying the fabric isrevolved and the surfaces of the cylinder on which the 'fabric is wound,are advanced at definite relative speeds so that a continuous helix offabric is constantly formed. The helix is drawn oil in any suitablemanner, being flattened :is withdrawn, and is rolled together formingthe two ply fabric. If desired, the fabric may be slit longitudinally asit leaves the cylinder, at any desired number of points, und woundbetween a liner.

If it is desired to form single ply fabric, the fabric ,may be slit at aplurality of places on the cylinder, forming a plurality of strips whichare wound up separately between turns of liner fabric. Y

The machinery which will carry `ont the present method is shown in thel'drawings and may be modified in detail without departing from thepresent invention. It comprises a main cylinder and ring supportin framework, consisting of a. lower 1 and an upper arch shaped sunport2,?LSecured to the standards 1 and 2 at suitableV points is a circularguideway or shuttle track 3, at various points whereon' are supportedtransverse pins 4 which rotatably support double flanged rollers orspools 5 on which is carried a fabric roll supportin ring 6 providedwith a gear face receive between the flanges of the rollers.

The ring may be revolved in any suitable manner, and as an example;there may be employed a motor 8 secured to the base, the shaft 9carrying a pinion 10 in mesh with the gear surface on 'the ring. To therear face of the ring is secured a pair of bracketsl 11 in which isloosely received the shaft12'i of the, roll of rubberized `fabric andliner 13, At one side of and parallel to the bracketa''- and 36 arecarried endlesschains or belts 37, the upper run of each 'chain lying ina groove or gutter in the nsurfaceof the drum and formin a travelingsurface on which the helix is '(fyormed vand advanced.

The fabric on leaving 'the roller 21 is wrapped around the cylinder orform at an angle of While the helix is advanced in timed relation to therotation of the ring 6` causing the cylinder of fabric to be movedforward asit is Wrapped around the drum, suficient overlapping beingrprovided to cans` the turns to adhere. From one of the brac ets on therotating rlng is extended an arm 38, the lower end :of which carries aroller 39 'which passes over the edge of the fabricas it is applied lto'the drinn rolling 11 is a second pair of brackets 14 in which5 thesplice firmly inplacegif such action may are arranged slots 15 in whichis guidedv the shaft of a`liner wind-up vroll 16, contratile epfl-ings17 being connectedto the shafts 12 and 15 to keep the fabric roll andthe lin'r roll in contact at all times, Y

On the front face ofthe ring is arranged a air of brackets 18 Vwhichsupportafguide ro ler 19 at an angle to the line of the abrio so as togive it a twist as shown in y1 3. Located at another point on the faceo' the ring is a seco dpair of brackets'QO carrying a second angularlyarranged roll 2.1, the two rollers receiving the fabric' from the roll13 and delivering it to the tubing or cylinder-- making portion of theapparatus, preferably at an angle o`f 45.

Mounted between the portions 1 and 2 of the supporting bracket is ahorizontal shaft 22 which extends toward the front of the machine andthrough the center-of the ring supporting the cylinder forming devicesand slitting knives. Around the shaft 22 is mounted a rotary sleeve 23to therear endof which is secured a sprocket 24, over which is ltrainedachain 25 which meshes with sprocket 26 on the shaft of the motor 8.The. forward end of the slee-ve. 23 has secured to it :i large spiralmaster gear 27 which l:is supported on ball bearings 28 atl the end ofthe sleeve.

The gear 27 ,meshes with a pluralitof spiral gear-S29 which are arranged.a out thc shaft 22. The spiral gears are carried on shortcireumferentiallj,r arranged shafts 30A which are. supported in pairs ofbrackets.

31 extending radially from a central plate 32 secured to the shaft 22land formin one end of the `cylinder about which the abrio is wrapped atthe 45- spiral. Near the extreme forward end of the shaft 22de securedla second'plate 33, and between-the two plates 32 and 33' isv secured adrum or cylinder 3 4. il

Gn each lshaft. 30 is carried a sprocket Vwheel 35`and at the oppositeend of the cylindex' on 'the plate 33 is a corresponding number ofsprockets 36. Between the snrockets be found desirable. y l y i lIntlije forrnjofgthe invention shown in Figs.` flfto 91nclilsive, thecylinder or helix of fabrijc is drawn from 'diedi-uni by a pair of-rollersd which Hatten it out forming a y,

. two ply fabric Wit-h "the-threads at angles of 45and crossing. 1fdesired. the fabric may befsplit Vprior to the'tirne that it is pressedtogether,v two pairs of knives being used for this purpose. An innerpair ot' knives isslioxvn at 5()A carried on a yoke 51 ,.securedr'totheforwards'end of the shaft 22. An entery lpair of knives 52 is carriedon arms 53 extending rearwardly from the roller support. .Thel two plybias fabric is rolled upon a power driven roller 54 carried ain asupport', the shaft 56 of the fabric roll being received in a deeprecess .37 in the upper part of the support. A strip of liner 1s woundup with the fabric to prevent it from sticking, the liner coming from areel 58 and being led into the turnsA of the fabric. The fabric, if toowide for use in the` manufacture of tires, may be slit longitudinallybefore being mounted on the til-e machine.

Insteadof being pressed tovether to form a .two-pl fabric. the helix ofbias cloth may be' slit V ongtudinally into a plurality of strips andwound up in (rendition to be placed on the tire-machine. A modificationof the machine to carry out this embodiment ior of the invention isshown in Figs. 10 and 11, in which the shaft 22 is supported at itsforward end by a pillar or standard 123. At the end of the cylinder ordrum is secured "a sleeve'v 60 carrying 'a disk 61 on the outer edgevofwhich 1s a circular grooved trnckwayZ. In the trackway are supported vaseries: of cutter brackets 63 which may be adjustedfabout the ring by ineans of setsclfews 64'. The standards carry cutters of any preferredform, preferably disks 65, which are arranged to cooperate with similarcutters or dlsks 66 carried on brackets 67, ad'j'ustably secured b setscrews 68 in an inverted grooved tr iway 69 surrounding the innertrackway 62. Any suitable form of cutters may be substituted for thoseshown. By means of the set screws, the positions of the cutters may bevaried to cut different widths of fabric, and their number may beincreased or diminished if desired.

The bias fabric strips may be conducted from tbe slitting knives in anydesired manner. One form is shown in the drawings which is subject toalterations without af' fecting the invention.

The ring 69 is supported by s. standard 70 and carries a series oflaterally extending brackets 71,which are arranged in pairs and supportshafts 72 of rollers 73 over which the fabric asses from the slitters.Secured to each pair of brackets 71 are radially extending brackets 74which are formed with inwardly extending slots 75 in which are mountedthe shafts 76 of the rolls in which the fabric is received. A roll` ofliner fabric 77 is received outwardly of the roll of bias fabric, strongspiral springs 78 being attached to the roll 77 and to the bracket71lserv'ing to hold all three of the rolls together and yet allow thefabric roll to increase in diameter as the fabric is withdrawn fromthe'slitters. In order to Wind up the fabric on the rolls, there isprovided a power driven shaft 79 which carries a bevel gear 80 in meshwith a bevel gear 90 on one of the roller shafts 72. The shafts 72 ofall the rolls are interconnected by universal joints 91 so that all therolls are driven in unison. y

The apparatus operates in a manner which will be readily understood bythose skilled in the art. The notation of the roll carrier causes thefabric to be wound about the cyl inder in a helix, the inclination ofthe rolls :2i being `preferably such that the fabric is wound at anangle of 450. The chains carry the cylinder or helix of fabric forwardas it is formed, the speed of the chain being such that a slightoverlapping occurs. enough to make a proper spglice between the severalturns of fabric, the roller 39 being used to press the fabric` theroller 39 being used to ress the splice together if found necessary.

he fabric being now in the form of a tube or cylinder wound at an angleof 45 may be formed into a two ply strip according to the first form ofmy invention. or may be slit/into a series o'f bias strips ready to beplaced in the tire machines according to the form of invention shown inFigs. 10 and 11,

A forming 7it into a attened strip or strips by collapsing the tube orwithdrawing a strip bounded by elements of the cylinder or tube, cuttingthe cylinder along those elements.

The prcsent'invention is not limited to the fcrmshown hereimbut may beembodied in a number of modificati-ms variations without de artin fromthe spirit of thev invention. consiv er it broadly new .to form biasstrips directly and then to slit the helix into a plurality of strips orto collapse the helix to form a two ply fabric, either with or withoutslitting.

l claim:

l. The method of obtaining a flat strip of bias fabric from wovenfabric, comprising forming said woven fabric intoa helix and slittingsaid helixl longitudinally to forni strips and flattening the strips.

2. The method of obtaining a strip of bias fabric from woven fabriccomprising formin 'said woven fabric into a helically wound cy indricaltube, and witbdrawin said strip from said tube in a length bouncgled byelements of said tube.

3. The method of obtaining a strip of bias fabric from woven fabriccomprising the ste s of forming said woven fabric into a, he ically Wound tube, dividing said tubev helically wound tube, forming an overlapbetween the turns of said fabric, dividing said tube along its elementsto form strips and flattening the strips.

5. The method of obtaining a strip of bias fabric from woven fabric,comprising the steps of forming said rubberized woven fabric into ahelically wound tube, formin an overlap between the turns of said fa'ricsufficient in width to cause the turns to adhere, and withdrawing saidbias'strip from said tube in flattened condition.

C. The method of obtaining fiat strips of bias fabric from woven fabric,comprising the steps of forming said fabric int'oa heli cally woundtube, overlapping the edges of said fabric during the winding operation,and slitting said tube longitudinally to form the bias strips andflattening the strips.

7. The method of transforming woven fabric into bias'fabric for use intire consaid woven fabric into a helix, the several turns of said helixbeing overlapped 'suftiVv ciently to form a splice cuttin said helixalong )arallel lines. and with raWing thc bias fa ric from said helix.

8. An apparatus for forming bias fabric comprising a roll holder, meansdfor leading fabric from saidV roll and .winding it into a cylinder at anangle, and means for withdrawing said fabric from said.V cylinder in aiattened strip. l y y 9. An apparatus` for, forming bissl-fabriccomprising a rolljfsupport, a tubular form, means for conducting fabricfrom the roll to said form and,I `Wrapping it about the form at anadvancing angle, and means for reducing the tube of fabric to a iattenedstrip.

10. An apparatus for forming bias fabric comprising a roll support, atubular form, means for conducting fabric from the said roll and Windingit about the form, means for advancing the tube of fabric as it isformed, and a flattened strip forming device at the end of said form.

11. An apparatus for forming bias fabric comprising a roll support, atubular form, meansfor conducting fabric from said roll and winding itabout said form at an angle, if 459, and a flat strip forming device atVhe end of 4said form.

" 12. An apparatus comprisingl a roll support, a tubular form, means forconducting fabric from said roll and winding it about said form at anangle, means to advance the tube of fabric as it is formed, an`overlapping device associated with said winding means, and a device forcomprising the tube into fiat strips atthe Y 4form, mea si for condstrips Y fabricas it is end of said form.

13. An apparatus for forming bias fabric comprising a roll sup ort, acylindrical form,l means for conducting fabric from said roll and,wrapping it about said form at an angle, Vmeans for moving the cylinderof formed, the rate of said movin means beingso related to the speed ofsaid wrapping mechanism as to form an 'overlap between the turns of thefabric, and aliat forming device in the path of said fabric cylinderz14..`An apparatus comprisiii for forming bias fabio, roll support, acylindrical said rollend Wrapping i about said form at an.=angle, meansor moving the cylinder of fabric asit is formed, means for forming anoverlap between the turns of said fabric,

andmeans fo' reducing the cylinder to Hat -alongelb ts thereof.

15. Anap'pala us for forming bias fabric, comprising a roll su port, acylindrical form, means for con ucting fabric from Said roll and formingit into a helix about said form, and cuttin devices for dividing thecylinder of fabric bngitudinally.

16. An apparatus for forming bias fabric, comprising 'a roll support, `acylindrical form, means for conducting fabric from 'said roll andforming it into a helix about said form, cutting devices for dividingthe iilylindei' of fabric longitudinally in parallel mese Y i 17. Anapparatus for forming bias fabric, comprising 'a rllgpupport, meansfor'rotatlngsaid support, "a forxriA located on the axis of rotation ofsaid support, means for conducting fabric from said sup ort to saidform, a cylinder moving means 1n said form, and liat strip forming meansat the end of Said cylinder.

18. An apparatus for forming bias fabric,

for forming bias fabric cting fabric froml comprising a roll support,means for rotat ing said support, a cylindrical form located on the axisof rotation of said su port, means for conducting fabric from saidsupport to said cylindrical form, and a roll for receiving fabric inflattened condition from said form.

19. An apparatus for forming bias fabric, comprising a roll support,means for rotating said support, a cylindrical form, means forconducting fabric from said'support to said cylindrical form, slittingmechanisni for dividing said fabric as itleaves the form along elementsof said cylinder, and a roll for receiving fabric in flattened condition from said form.V

20. An apparatus for forming bias fabric, comprising a roll support,means for rotating said support, a moving form, meansV for wrappingfabric from said support about said forni, and means for changing thefabric as wrapped about said form to a flat strip.

2l. An apparatus for forming bias fabric, comprising a roll support,means for rotating said support, a moving form within the orbit of saidsupport, means for conducting said'fabric from 4said support to saidform whereby a cylinder' of fabric is generated` 'and means for reducingthe cylinder of fabric formed on said moving formby saidinstrumentalities to a flat strip.

22. An apparatus for forming bias fabric, compris-ing a roll support,means for rotating said support, a moving form within the orbit of saidsupport, means for conducting :fabric from said support to said formwhereby a cylinder of fabric is generated, and means for dividing thecylinder of fabric formed on said form along elements of the cylinder.

23. In an apparatus of the character described a holder for a roll offabric, means for he'licall)7 Wrapping fabric from said holder in acylinder and means for converting said cylinder into a plurality ofstrips of fabric having its threads angularlv arranged with respect tothe length thereof.

24, In an apparatus of the character described, a holder for a roll offabric, means for wrapping fabric from said holder in a cylinder at anadvancing angle, and cutting lll) mechanism to divide said cylinderalong its A saidV form to receive the fabric longitudinally from theendof the form.

26. In an apparatus of the character'described, a fabric roll carrier,means for rol Atatin'g said carrier, guiding means for said fabric, aform adapted to receive said fabric at an angle from said guiding means,mean 0 for causing the surface of the form to travel with respect tosaid carrier, and a roll for receiving fabric from said form inflattened condition. i

2T. In an apparatus Ji the character described, a fabricroll carrier,means for rotating said carrier, guiding means for said fabric, a formadapted to receive said fabric from said guiding means at an angle toform a cylinder of fabric, means for causing the surface of the form totravel with respect to sa-id carrier, a cutter adapted to divide saidcylinder along parallel lines, and a roll for receivingfabric from saidform in flattened condition.

Q8. In an apparatus ofthe character described, a` fabric roll carrier,means for rotating said carrier, guiding means for the fabric, a forniadapted to receive said fabric from said guiding means atan angle, meansfor causing the cylinder of fabric to travel over the form as it isbuilt up, and a roll for receiving fabric from said form in flattenedcondition? 2li. l'n an apparatus of the character described, a fabricroll carrier, means for rotating Said carrier, guiding means for the.fabric. a form-adapted to receive said fabrlc from lsaid guiding meansat an angle, means for causing the cylinder of fabric to travel over theform as it is built up, a dev ice for forming au overlapping of theedges of the fabric, and a roll for receiving fabric from said form inflattened condition.

30. In an apparatus of the character described, a fabric roll carrier,meansfor r0- tating said carrier, guiding means for the fabric, a formadapted to receive said fabric from said guiding means at an angle,means for causing the cylinder of fabric to travel over said form as itis built, up, slitting mechanism for dividing the fabric longitudinallyalong elements of the cylinder, and a roll forreceiving fabric from saidform in flattened condition.

31. In an apparatus of the character described, a fabric roll carrier,means for rotating said carrier, guiding means forthe fabric, a formadapted to receive said fabric from said guiding means at an angle of45, means for causing the cylinder of fabric to move over the form as itis built up, a device for mfeilapping the edges of the fabric in thecylinder, and slitting mechanism for dividing the fabric longitudinallyalong elements of said cylinder.y

In an apparatus of the character-described, a fabric roll carrier, meansfor rotating said carrier, guiding means for the fabric, a form adaptedto receive said fabric from said guiding means at an an le of 45, meansfor causing the cylinder o fabric to move over the 4forni as it is builtup, a device forovcrlapping the edges of the fabric in sit the cylinder,ting mechanism for dividingtlie fabric longitudinally alongelementscf-said cylinder; and means forreceiving said fabric from saidform in flattened condition.

FRANK J. MACDONALD.

